Attitudes and beliefs of argentinian medical oncologists regarding palliative care referral / Actitudes y creencias de los médicos oncólogos argentinos sobre la derivación a cuidados paliativos

Abstract Introduction: Local evidence suggests insufficient access to palliative care (PC) for advanced cancer patients. The objective was to investigate the attitudes and beliefs of Argentinian medical oncologists regarding PC referral of their patients. Methods: All medical oncologists listed in the main national Clinical Oncology Associations (N = 831) were invited to participate in a telephone survey. Results: Fifty nine percent (N = 489) completed the survey. Most reported being informed about the scopes of PC (83%) and having accessible PC service/specialists (71%). However, 53% did not work collaboratively, and 55% exceptionally or never referred their patients. Oncologists who usually referred their patients did so mainly due to uncontrolled pain (67%) or absence of curative treatment (48%). Only 19% supported early-referral criteria. Those who exception ally referred their patients argued that PC was not meaningful/beneficial/a priority (78%) or that they preferred to handle the patient's problems by themselves (55%). End-of-life care (33%) and improvement in quality of life (32%) were stated as primary benefits of PC for cancer patients. Addressing psychological aspects was consid ered the least important item (2%). Having an accessible PC service (P = 0.002) and being well informed about PC (P = 0.008) were associated with frequent referral. Having ≤10 years or >30 years from graduation were associated with exceptional or no referral (P = 0.012 and 0.001, respectively). Discussion: Oncologists report awareness of the potential advantages of PC and have accessible PC services, but rarely refer patients. They mainly use late-referral criteria. Younger and older age are negatively associated with referral. More research is needed to improve the referral rate and timing of cancer patients to PC.

Resumen Introducción: La evidencia local sugiere un acceso insuficiente a los cuidados paliativos (CP) para los pacien tes con cáncer avanzado. El objetivo fue investigar las actitudes y creencias de médicos oncólogos argentinos respecto de la derivación de sus pacientes a CP. Métodos: Todos los médicos oncólogos registrados en las principales Asociaciones Nacionales de Oncología Clínica (N = 831) fueron invitados a participar en una encuesta telefónica. Resultados: El 59% (N = 489) completó la encuesta. La mayoría informó estar informado sobre los alcances de CP (83%) y tener especialistas/servicios de CP acce sibles (71%). Sin embargo, el 53% no trabajaba de forma colaborativa y el 55% excepcionalmente o nunca derivaba a sus pacientes. Los oncólogos que habi tualmente derivan a sus pacientes lo hacen principalmente por dolor no controlado (67%) o ausencia de trata miento curativo (48%). Solo el 19% mencionó criterios de derivación temprana. Aquellos que excepcionalmente derivan a sus pacientes argumentaron que los CP no era significativos, beneficiosos o prioritarios (78%) o que preferían manejar los problemas del paciente por sí mismos (55%). La atención al final de la vida (33 %) y la mejora de la calidad de vida (32 %) se señalaron como los principales beneficios de los CP para los pacientes con cáncer. El abordaje de los aspectos psicológicos fue el ítem menos señalado (2%). Tener un servicio de CP accesible (P= 0,002) y estar bien informado sobre CP (P = 0,008) se asociaron con la derivación frecuente. Tener ≤10 años o >30 años desde la graduación se asoció con una derivación excepcional o nula (P = 0,012 y 0,001, respectivamente). Discusión: Los oncólogos refieren conocer las ventajas potenciales de los CP y tienen servicios de CP accesibles, pero rara vez derivan pacientes. Utilizan principalmente criterios de derivación tardía. Las edades más jóvenes y mayores se asocian negativamente con la derivación. Se necesita más investigación para mejorar la tasa y momento de derivación de los pacientes con cáncer a CP.

Attitudes and beliefs of Argentinian medical oncologists regarding palliative care referral.

INTRODUCTION: Local evidence suggests insufficient access to palliative care (PC) for advanced cancer patients. The objective was to investigate the attitudes and beliefs of Argentinian medical oncologists regarding PC referral of their patients. METHODS: All medical oncologists listed in the main national Clinical Oncology Associations (N = 831) were invited to participate in a telephone survey. RESULTS: Fifty nine percent (N = 489) completed the survey. Most reported being informed about the scopes of PC (83%) and having accessible PC service/specialists (71%). However, 53% did not work collaboratively, and 55% exceptionally or never referred their patients. Oncologists who usually referred their patients did so mainly due to uncontrolled pain (67%) or absence of curative treatment (48%). Only 19% supported early-referral criteria. Those who exceptionally referred their patients argued that PC was not meaningful/beneficial/a priority (78%) or that they preferred to handle the patient's problems by themselves (55%). End-of-life care (33%) and improvement in quality of life (32%) were stated as primary benefits of PC for cancer patients. Addressing psychological aspects was considered the least important item (2%). Having an accessible PC service (P = 0.002) and being well informed about PC (P = 0.008) were associated with frequent referral. Having =10 years or >30 years from graduation were associated with exceptional or no referral (P = 0.012 and 0.001, respectively). DISCUSSION: Oncologists report awareness of the potential advantages of PC and have accessible PC services, but rarely refer patients. They mainly use late-referral criteria. Younger and older age are negatively associated with referral. More research is needed to improve the referral rate and timing of cancer patients to PC.

Introducción: La evidencia local sugiere un acceso insuficiente a los cuidados paliativos (CP) para los pacientes con cáncer avanzado. El objetivo fue investigar las actitudes y creencias de médicos oncólogos argentinos respecto de la derivación de sus pacientes a CP. Métodos: Todos los médicos oncólogos registrados en las principales Asociaciones Nacionales de Oncología Clínica (N = 831) fueron invitados a participar en una encuesta telefónica. Resultados: El 59% (N = 489) completó la encuesta. La mayoría informó estar informado sobre los alcances de CP (83%) y tener especialistas/servicios de CP acce sibles (71%). Sin embargo, el 53% no trabajaba de forma colaborativa y el 55% excepcionalmente o nunca derivaba a sus pacientes. Los oncólogos que habitualmente derivan a sus pacientes lo hacen principalmente por dolor no controlado (67%) o ausencia de tratamiento curativo (48%). Solo el 19% mencionó criterios de derivación temprana. Aquellos que excepcionalmente derivan a sus pacientes argumentaron que los CP no era significativos, beneficiosos o prioritarios (78%) o que preferían manejar los problemas del paciente por sí mismos (55%). La atención al final de la vida (33 %) y la mejora de la calidad de vida (32 %) se señalaron como los principales beneficios de los CP para los pacientes con cáncer. El abordaje de los aspectos psicológicos fue el ítem menos señalado (2%). Tener un servicio de CP accesible (P= 0,002) y estar bien informado sobre CP (P = 0,008) se asociaron con la derivación frecuente. Tener =10 años o >30 años desde la graduación se asoció con una derivación excepcional o nula (P = 0,012 y 0,001, respectivamente). Discusión: Los oncólogos refieren conocer las ventajas potenciales de los CP y tienen servicios de CP accesibles, pero rara vez derivan pacientes. Utilizan principalmente criterios de derivación tardía. Las edades más jóvenes y mayores se asocian negativamente con la derivación. Se necesita más investigación para mejorar la tasa y momento de derivación de los pacientes con cáncer a CP.

Current Scenario of Clinical Cancer Research in Latin America and the Caribbean.

In Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), progress has been made in some national and regional cancer control initiatives, which have proved useful in reducing diagnostic and treatment initiation delays. However, there are still significant gaps, including a lack of oncology clinical trials. In this article, we will introduce the current status of the region's clinical research in cancer, with a special focus on academic cancer research groups and investigator-initiated research (IIR) initiatives. Investigators in LAC have strived to improve cancer research despite drawbacks and difficulties in funding, regulatory timelines, and a skilled workforce. Progress has been observed in the representation of this region in clinical trial development and conduct, as well as in scientific productivity. However, most oncology trials in the region have been sponsored by pharmaceutical companies, highlighting the need for increased funding from governments and private foundations. Improvements in obtaining and/or strengthening the LAC cancer research group's financing will provide opportunities to address cancer therapies and management shortcomings specific to the region. Furthermore, by including this large, ethnic, and genetically diverse population in the world's research agenda, one may bridge the gap in knowledge regarding the applicability of results of clinical trials now mainly conducted in populations from the Northern Hemisphere.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Oncology Clinical Research in Latin America (LACOG 0420).

PURPOSE: COVID-19 has affected cancer care worldwide. Clinical trials are an important alternative for the treatment of oncologic patients, especially in Latin America, where trials can be the only opportunity for some of them to access novel and, sometimes, standard treatments. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study, in which a 22-question survey regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on oncology clinical trials was sent to 350 representatives of research programs in selected Latin American institutions, members of the Latin American Cooperative Oncology Group. RESULTS: There were 90 research centers participating in the survey, with 70 of them from Brazil. The majority were partly private or fully private (n = 77; 85.6%) and had confirmed COVID-19 cases at the institution (n = 57; 63.3%). Accruals were suspended at least for some studies in 80% (n = 72) of the responses, mostly because of sponsors' decision. Clinical trials' routine was affected by medical visits cancelation, reduction of patients' attendance, reduction of other specialties' availability, and/or alterations on follow-up processes. Formal COVID-19 mitigation policies were adopted in 96.7% of the centers, including remote monitoring and remote site initiation visits, telemedicine visits, reduction of research team workdays or home office, special consent procedures, shipment of oral drugs directly to patients' home, and increase in outpatient diagnostic studies. Importantly, some of these changes were suggested to be part of future oncology clinical trials' routine, particularly the ones regarding remote methods, such as telemedicine. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this was the first survey to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on Latin American oncology clinical trials. The results are consistent with surveys from other world regions. These findings may endorse improvements in clinical trials' processes and management in the postpandemic period.

Manejo del síndrome caquexia-anorexia en el cáncer avanzado / Management cachexia-anorexia syndrome in advanced cancer

El síndrome de caquexia-anorexia (SCA) afecta aproximadamente al 80% de los pacientes con cáncer avanzado cercanos al final de la vida. La incidencia y la gravedad del SCA aumentan a medida que progresa la enfermedad primaria. En los últimos años se han producido grandes avances en el conocimiento de la fisiopatología y múltiples opciones terapéuticas para el SCA. Para hacer un uso racional de los avances terapéuticos, consideramos necesario hacer una distinción entre dos extremos diferentes en la evolución del SCA. Por un lado, consideraremos al paciente con SCA en etapa precoz, con diagnóstico de cáncer reciente, en tratamiento oncológico activo, buen performance status y posibilidades de curación o supervivencia prolongada. En esta situación clínica proponemos el uso racional e intensivo de todas las medidas basadas en la evidencia tendientes a corregir el SCA: suplementos dietarios, alimentación artificial, orexígenos, ejercicio, etc. En el otro extremo, encontramos al paciente caquéctico con cáncer avanzado, pérdida de peso progresiva, profunda astenia, pobre performance status, con escasa ingesta vía oral, enfermedad en progresión y una expectativa de vida corta. En esta situación, algunos tratamientos como la alimentación artificial carecen de utilidad e incluso podrían empeorar algunos síntomas físicos. Por lo tanto, el abordaje más apropiado para el manejo del SCA avanzado podría ser aquel orientado a mejorar la calidad de vida, priorizar el control de síntomas (anorexia, náuseas, vómitos, astenia, xerostomía, etc.), preservar la ingesta por vía oral y brindar contención emocional al paciente y su familia En este artículo, abordaremos el tratamiento paliativo del SCA en paciente con cáncer avanzado.

Cachexia-anorexia syndrome (CAS) affects approximately80% of advanced cancer patients near end of life. Incidenceand severity of CAS increase as primary disease progressesIn the last few years great advances has been made in theunderstanding of the pathophysiology and treatment ofCAS. To make a rational use of therapeutic advances, weconsider necessary to distinguish between two differentextremes in the evolution of CAS. On one hand, we willconsider the patient with CAS in early phase, recentlydiagnosed cancer, with active oncologic treatment, goodperformance status and chances of cure or prolongedsurvival. In this clinical setting, we propose the rationaland intensive use of all evidence-based measures directedto correct CAS: dietary supplements, artificial nutrition,orexigenics, exercise, etc. On the other hand, we find thecachectic patient with advanced cancer, progressive weightloss, profound asthenia, poor performance status, little oralintake, progressive disease and a short life expectancy. Inthis stage, some treatments like artificial nutrition lack ofutility and could even worsen some physical symptoms.Therefore, the more appropriate approach to advancedCAS could be that one oriented to improve quality of life,prioritize symptoms control (anorexia, nausea and vomiting,asthenia and xerostomy), to preserve oral intake andto provide emotional support to the patient and the family.In this article, we will focus on palliative treatment of CASin the patient with advanced cancer.